Coffee Machine Buying Guide
Written by: Vittorio A
May 17, 2024
Coffee Machine Buying Guide
Here at Eastlink Espresso we are dedicated to help you finding the right machine so that you can feel confident making coffee after coffee and have fun with it. With a commitment to excellence and customer support, we bring you a comprehensive range of premium coffee machines designed to meet and exceed your expectations.
We don’t just sell machines online, Eastlink Espresso is a family business formed by coffee experts, skilled technicians and in general home baristas experts who will go above and beyond to assist you during the entire life time of the machine. With full customer support and product knowledge you won’t regret getting in touch with us.
Our Coffee Machines
When looking for a new manual Italian Coffee Machine the choice can be quite difficult and ultimately it would depend on a few factors, needs and budget.
To summarise we will divide the Coffee Machines in 3 groups:
Single boiler coffee machines
The Single Boiler Coffee Machines are the first step in the line-up designed for people who don’t want to sacrifice quality to budget. They pack premium features and build quality to recreate café quality performance at home in a very compact footprint.
Heat Exchanger coffee machines
The Heat Exchanger Machines are the most popular options. Here’s where we really step up in the game!
Dual boiler coffee
machines
As the name suggests Dual Boiler Coffee Machines have two separate boilers, one for brewing coffee and one for steaming. They can be like a good knife in the hands of a good chef!
Single Boiler Coffee Machines
The Single Boiler Coffee Machines are the first step in the line-up designed for people who don’t want to sacrifice quality to budget. They pack premium features and build quality to recreate café quality performance at home in a very compact footprint.
As the name suggests, a single boiler machine has only one boiler that serves both functions: brewing espresso and steaming milk. This means the machine must switch between these two tasks, and there may be a delay in transitioning from brewing to steaming or vice versa. So these units are designed for people who drink mainly straight espresso and occasionally desire to steam milk.
They are definitely going to be smaller and more affordable than some other options, typically single boiler machines will only function off the internal water tank thanks to a Vibratory Pump
Perfect for:
- Small Kitchens
- Espresso Only Coffee Drinkers
Pros:
- Small footprint
- Quicker heat up time
- Simple Design
Cons:
- Can’t brew and steam at same time
- A bit more complicated to use for a beginner
- Not designed to make multiple coffees at the time
shop Our best Single Boiler Coffee Machines
Sale!
Quick Mill Coffee Machines
Original price was: $1,699.00.$1,282.00Current price is: $1,282.00.
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Sale!
Out of stock
Sale!
Profitec Coffee Machines
$1,899.00 – $2,099.00
This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Sale!
ECM Coffee Machines
Original price was: $2,599.00.$2,290.00Current price is: $2,290.00.
HEAT EXCHANGER COFFEE MACHINES
The Heat Exchanger Machines are the most popular options. Here’s where we really step up in the game! A combination of simplicity, consistency and powerful performance make these the preferred machines for:
- The regular latte and cappuccino drinkers
- Someone who’s looking to buy a machine as a definitive investment
They will allow you to simultaneously brew espresso and steam milk at the same time. They have large boilers designed to cater to larger demands and needs.
The brew water constantly circulates in and out of the boiler through a separate circuit called Heat Exchanger Pipe (here’s where the name comes from). The thermal stability of these machines are regulated by a thermo-syphon system which is simple and reliable.
With the adoption of PID equipped machines you can also adjust the temperature for the boiler but there is a correlation between both steam and coffee temperatures and cannot be adjusted individually. With a bitof time, you can find the right temperature for you. You also get a Shot Timer with it which you can use to monitor the extraction time of your espresso.
The versions without PID utilises a mechanical Pressure Switch in order to control the heat and they are essentially a ‘plug and play’, perhaps they are designed for people who are looking for something easy to use without any additional adjustments.
Nearly all machines in this category are equipped with the E61 group head. E61 groups are easily recognisable since the group is exposed from the machine and most of the time it is equipped with a brew lever instead of buttons.
Some machines can be also equipped with Volumetric Shots Programming, they offer an additional level of convenience since you can pre-set to automatically stop the shots once they have reached a specific amount of coffee.
Perfect for:
- The regular latte and cappuccino drinkers
- Someone who’s looking to buy a machine as a definitive investment
Pros:
- Brew and steam at the same time
- Big boiler to do multiple coffees
- Plenty of steam
Cons:
- Does not provided as much information as a dual boiler
- No much control of the brew temperature
shop Our best HeaT Exchanger Coffee Machines
Sale!
Lelit Coffee Machines
Original price was: $2,599.00.$2,339.00Current price is: $2,339.00.
Sale!
Quick Mill Coffee Machines
Original price was: $3,590.00.$2,959.00Current price is: $2,959.00.
Sale!
Profitec Coffee Machines
Original price was: $3,700.00.$3,399.00Current price is: $3,399.00.
Sale!
ECM Coffee Machines
Original price was: $4,599.00.$3,949.00Current price is: $3,949.00.
DUAL BOILER COFFEE MACHINES
As the name suggests Dual Boiler Coffee Machines have two separate boilers, one for brewing coffee and one for steaming. Dual Boiler Coffee Machines are ideal for those who:
- Prioritize precise temperature control and full commercial performance
- Is looking for an ability to tweak your machine as you wish
They can be like a good knife in the hands of a good chef!
Having accurate temperature control + better thermal stability will open hundreds of variables to play with during the espresso-making process. If you are into specialty coffee and you are chasing the god shot these are the right machines for you.
These machines can pack up other features like custom Pre-Infusion, Flow Control Device for Pressure Profiling, Rotary Pump and Saturated Group-Head .
Like with the Heat Exchangers machines, some dual boiler coffee machines are equipped with the E61 group head. E61 groups are easily recognisable since the group is exposed from the machine and most of the times it is equipped with a brew lever instead of buttons.
Perfect for:
- Prioritizing precise temperature control and full commercial performance
- Someone who’s looking for an ability to tweak your machine as you wish
Pros:
- Full control of your coffee and steam temperature
- No need to perform a cooling flush before pulling a shot
Cons:
- Cost a bit more than a heat exchanger
- Can take longer to warm up
Some machines can be also equipped with a Volumetric Shots programming, they offer an additional level of convenience since you can pre-set to automatically stop the shots once they have reached a specific amount of coffee.
Dual Boiler Coffee Machines are often more expensive, so your budget may play a significant role in the decision-making process. Consider the physical size of the machine and whether you have enough space for a larger dual boiler system or if a more compact Heat Exchanger Coffee Machine is preferable.
In summary, the choice between Single Boiler, HX machine and Dual Boiler Coffee Machines depends on your specific preferences, budget constraints, and the level of convenience you desire in brewing and steaming operations.
All types can produce excellent coffee, so it ultimately comes down to your individual needs and priorities. All machines can produce an amazing cup of coffee as long as you use good and freshly roasted coffee beans and you utilises good skills.
Please pay attention to this important rule:
Always fit a good Coffee Grinder in your budget. The grinder is as important as the coffee machine and ultimately will give you the edge performance in producing an amazing cup of coffee every day. There’s no point investing in a premium coffee machine if you are ending up using a basic consumer grinder.
shop Our best Dual Boiler Coffee Machines
Sale!
Rocket Coffee Machines
Original price was: $5,799.00.$4,999.00Current price is: $4,999.00.
Sale!
ECM Coffee Machines
Original price was: $5,899.00.$5,365.00Current price is: $5,365.00.
Sale!
Sale!
Quick Mill Coffee Machines
Original price was: $6,490.00.$5,029.00Current price is: $5,029.00.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Before making a purchasing decision, it is very important to obtain clarity on the things you value. Here are some of the most popular questions we get in regards to our product line and service offering.
How do I choose a machine?
Please take in consideration multiple factors: footprint, size, ultimate use, plumbed in or not and finally budget.
Feel free to contact us anytime, with over 15 years of experience we can recommend the best machine for your needs and taste.
Are these machines easy to use?
No worries, that’s why we’re here. If you don’t have the right skills for using a coffee machine we can help you with a training session with the purchase. At Eastlink Espresso we don’t just move boxes online! We have been doing this for years.
We will pass you our knowledge and give you a full understanding of espresso making, general use and maintenance. You will walk away feeling like a pro barista.
Which machines can be plumbed in?
Rotary pump machines give you the option of being plumbed in, or if you prefer they can be used with the internal water tank. They are going to feel a bit more premium, solid and quiet in our opinion.
I only drink espresso with no milk, which machine should I choose?
Most probably you will be ok with an Italian single boiler machine. Since you are not going to froth milk too often you can save some money and invest it in a great coffee grinder.
I want to have maximum steaming performance, which machine should I choose?
Go for Dual Boiler Coffee Machine. Since the boilers are independent for brewing and steaming these machines generally run at higher steam pressure (up to to 2.5 bar with some models) and have more powerful heaters.
What about maintenance, do I need to service these coffee machine?
Italian coffee machines are often easier and cheaper to maintain compared to consumer machines from the big stores. These are meant to last for decades with preventative maintenance. We can perform maintenance and servicing ourselves during their entire life. If you are interstate we can recommend a local agent closer to you.
We recommend a service every 12 months to 18 months in order to prevent issues and make sure the machine will run like a dream!
What’s the heat up time on these machines?
The heat up time can vary between the different models. In general it is at least 5 minutes for single boiler and about 15 to 20 minutes for the bigger machines.
We always recommend to invest in a good Smart Wi-Fi timer. This allows you to have the machine ready in the morning and gives you remote control of your equipment
Do I need to spend a lot on a coffee grinder?
Always fit a good Coffee Grinder in your budget. The grinder is as important as the coffee machine and will give you the edge performance in producing an amazing cup of coffee every day.
You must be in control of the particle size of your coffee in order to vary the extraction time and flavour of your coffee. There’s no point investing in a premium coffee machine if you are ending up using a basic consumer grinder.
Also using pre ground coffee will likely yield bad results, since the coffee goes stale within hours it’s been ground.
